New York Toronto London Auckland Sydney

Mexico City New Delhi Hong Kong Buenos Aires

Scholastic Inc.

the race acrossamerica

If you purchased this book without a cover, you should be aware that this book is stolen property. It was reported as “unsold and destroyed” to the publisher, and neither the author nor the publisher has received any payment for this “stripped book.”

No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without written permission from the copyright holder. For information regarding permission, please contact: Atlantyca S.p.A., Via Leopardi 8, 20123 Milan, Italy; e-mail foreignrights@atlantyca.it, www.atlantyca.com.

ISBN 978-0-545-02137-1

Copyright © 2006 by Edizioni Piemme S.p.A., Via Tiziano 32, 20145 Milan, Italy.

International Rights © Atlantyca S.p.A.

English translation © 2009 by Atlantyca S.p.A.

GERONIMO STILTON names, characters, and related indicia are copyright, trademark, and exclusive license of Atlantyca S.p.A. All rights reserved. The moral right of the author has been asserted.

Based on an original idea by Elisabetta Dami.

www.geronimostilton.com

Published by Scholastic Inc., 557 Broadway, New York, NY 10012. SCHOLASTIC and associated logos are trademarks and/or registered trademarks of Scholastic Inc.

Stilton is the name of a famous English cheese. It is a registered trademark of the Stilton Cheese Makers’ Association. For more information, go to www.stiltoncheese.com

Text by Geronimo StiltonOriginal title La corsa più pazza d’America! Cover by Giuseppe Ferrario Illustrations by Danilo Barozzi, Francesco Castelli, and Christian Aliprandi Graphics by Merenguita Gingermouse and Michela Battaglin

Special thanks to Beth Dunfey Translated by Lidia Morson Tramontozzi Interior design by Kay Petronio

12 11 10 9 11 12 13 14 15 16/0

Printed in the U.S.A. 40First printing, April 2009

To: Geronimo STilTon

It had been a stressful day at the office. By six o’clock, I was exhausted!

As I scampered home, I thought about taking a nice, relaxing bath in a tub of cheese-scented bubbles. Ahhh . . .

Oops, I almost forgot to introduce myself! My name is Stilton, Geronimo Stilton. I am the publisher of the most famouse newspaper on Mouse Island, The Rodent’s Gazette. I also love to read and write books.

2

When I arrived in front of my mouse hole at 8 Mouseford Lane, I noticed something unusual on the front stoop. Curious, I bent down to check it out. It was a package.

Could it be for me? I hoped so! I love getting packages in the mail.

I picked it up and read the tag. It was for me!

“Hmmm. Who could’ve left this here?” I wondered aloud.

I picked up the box and went inside.

To: Geronimo STilTon

Then I ripped off the brown wrapping paper.

Once I got the box open, I was dumbfounded and a little disappointed. Bicycle handlebars?!

Who had sent them to me?More important, what was I going to do

with bicycle handlebars?You see, I’m hardly what you’d call a

sportsmouse. My favorite hobby is curling up with a good book. So why would someone send me bicycle handlebars?

It was a mystEry.

To: Geronimo STilTon

4

Two PedalS?!

I went into the bathroom and took a warm shower, just like always. Then I headed into the kitchen and got myself an apple and a nice cup of hot cheddar, just like always. I left my house whistling, just like always, and headed to my office at The Rodent’s Gazette.

On my way out, I

tripped over something on the front stoop. Before I could stop myself, I fell flat on my face! Ouch!

I got up slowly, rubbing my tender snout.

5

That’s when I realized I had tripped over another package.

I read the tag:

I decided to do as the tag said. I went back into my mouse hole and tore open the package. Inside were two bicycle pedals!

Two pedals?!

Who had left them for me?

More important, what was I going to do with two bicycle pedals?

It was a conundrum.

? ??

Two PedalS?!